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Harry Roque says ‘un-Christian’ to ask how he got hospital care, despite bed shortage

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Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/03/03/20210215-duterte-iatf-mnib14.jpg"/><figcaption>Presidential Spokesperson Herminio &quot;Harry&quot; Roque Jr. shares his remarks to President Rodrigo Duterte during a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on Feb. 15, 2021. <em>Joey Dalumpines, Presidential Photo</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — Palace spokesman Harry Roque said on Monday it was “un-Christian” for him to be questioned about how he secured hospital care during his second bout with COVID-19, as infections swamped facilities and forced other patients to <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/04/05/21/the-story-behind-this-car-with-an-oxygen-tank-in-a-hospital-parking-lot-will-break-your-heart">wait in line for days</a>. </p><p>Roque on Saturday said he was admitted to a hospital &quot;at the right time since pneumonia was caught early on.&quot; He said that though he felt &quot;better after only one vial of remdesivir and steroids,&quot; he would be confined until Thursday. </p><p>Asked how he secured a hospital room while some patients reportedly <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/31/21/philippines-paranaque-city-covid-19-patient-dies-outside-emergency-room-hospital-full-capacity">died while waiting for admission</a>, Roque said, “With all due respect… I think that’s an un-Christian question.”</p><p>“Ang aking assurance lang, sa panahon ni President Duterte, lahat ng mayroong pangangailangang medikal, mabibigyan ng tulong,” he said in a press briefing. </p><p>(My only assurance is during the term of President Duterte, all those who have medical needs will be given help.)</p><p>The health department on Monday <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/12/21/harry-roque-special-treatment-covid19-coronavirus-confined-pgh">declined to comment</a> on the alleged prioritization of Roque. </p><p>Roque did not say where he was confined in, although sources told ABS-CBN News he was seen at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/09/21/dama-pa-rin-ang-surge-pgh-says-icu-still-full-covid-beds-at-90-pct-occupancy">‘Dama pa rin ang surge’: PGH says ICU still full, COVID beds at 90 pct occupancy</a></li></ul><p>Roque first announced he tested positive for the coronavirus on March 15. He was found negative for the disease 10 days later.</p><p>It was unclear when he again contracted the virus, or whether he was suffering from further effects of his earlier illness.</p><p>The official was the fifth member of Duterte&#x27;s Cabinet to contract the illness.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/25/21/palace-spox-harry-roque-completes-quarantine-tests-negative-for-covid-19">Palace spox Harry Roque completes quarantine, tests negative for COVID-19</a></li></ul><p>Roque previously underwent a heart procedure, which prompted him to withdraw his 2019 Senate bid. He has also said he was obese and diabetic. </p><p>People with health risks are more prone to developing severe symptoms of COVID-19.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/06/16/20/heart-disease-diabetes-significantly-raise-risk-of-hospitalization-death-from-covid-19-us-study ">Heart disease, diabetes significantly raise risk of hospitalization, death from COVID-19: US study</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/03/05/21/obesity-a-driving-factor-in-covid-19-deaths-global-report-finds">Obesity a driving factor in COVID-19 deaths, global report finds</a></li></ul><p> The Philippines has tallied 864,868 COVID-19 cases, among the highest in Asia. Of these infections, 146,519 or 16.9 percent were active as of Sunday. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1659584" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar"><div><em>Video courtesy of PTV</em></div></div>

<p>Palace spokesman Harry Roque said on Monday it was “un-Christian” for him to be questioned about how he secured hospital care during his second bout with COVID-19, as infections swamped facilities and forced other patients to wait in line for days. </p>

Palace spokesman Harry Roque said on Monday it was “un-Christian” for him to be questioned about how he secured hospital care during his second bout with COVID-19, as infections swamped facilities and forced other patients to wait in line for days.

Harry Roque says ‘un-Christian’ to ask how he got hospital care, despite bed shortage

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Harry Roque says ‘un-Christian’ to ask how he got hospital care, despite bed shortage

Jamaine Punzalan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 12, 2021 02:21 PM PHT

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Updated Apr 12, 2021 04:01 PM PHT

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